The New Jersey Department of Education invites school administrators to recommend up to three outstanding elementary educators (grades PreK to 5) for the 2024 Exemplary Educator Recognition Program.

This program alternates each year in honoring outstanding elementary and secondary educators. The NJDOE is seeking to honor elementary educators who:

  • Have a positive impact on their students, colleagues and the school community.
  • Possess a clear vision for quality teaching and learning.
  • May be a candidate for recognition at the county, state and national level.

Honoring educators promotes a culture that publicly recognizes excellence and fosters greater pride in the education profession. The NJDOE encourages administrators to consider exceptional educators with diverse backgrounds to ensure honorees represent the ethnic and racial diversity of New Jersey.

Recommending Exemplary Educators

Administrators can recommend up to three elementary teachers, specialists and principals from New Jersey public school districts (including charter schools and renaissance school projects) who have:

  • Taught for at least five years.
  • Demonstrated exceptional teaching and leadership abilities.
  • Received a rating of effective or highly effective on the latest final summative evaluation.

Administrators must complete and submit the online 2024 Exemplary Educator Recognition Program Recommendation Form for each exemplary educator nominated. To submit a recommendation, administrators will need a district-level Exemplary Educator account from the district’s Homeroom administrator.

Completed recommendation forms must be submitted online by 4 p.m. EST Friday, April 12, 2024. For full criteria and recommendation form information, please refer to this information sheet.

Recommendations are confidential and should not be shared with the candidate. If a recommended candidate is selected as an exemplary educator, the recommender will receive a certificate of recognition in November 2024 via mail to share with the awardees at that time.

If you have any questions, please contact the educator recognition program coordinator via email.